Marchenko gave a bleak forecast regarding the end of the war and Western aid.

Ukraine and the IMF estimate financial needs for 2025 at 12-15 billion dollars

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko stated that Ukraine, together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), estimates the need for additional funding at 12-15 billion dollars for 2025. This is due to the duration of the war, which will continue into the next year.

"We are constantly discussing with our partners that we need additional financial assurance because the war will continue in 2025, and we need to have a buffer," said Serhiy Marchenko.

Marchenko explained that previous forecasts for the end of the active phase of the war by mid-2024 had not materialized, so it is necessary to reconcile financial need assessments with the IMF. He also emphasized that Ukraine itself must contribute to solving financial problems.

The minister believes that raising taxes will signal to partners Ukraine's readiness for tough decisions. This will show that the country is contributing to overcoming the budget deficit.

"We approach our partners and say: there is a deficit of 500 billion hryvnias, and there are ways to cover it. But we also expect that you will provide us with sufficient financial assurances for 2025 so that we can finance the budget," noted the Finance Minister.

Marchenko emphasized that the government is working on balancing next year's budget, but additional financial guarantees from international partners are necessary for this. Currently, according to the IMF program, these guarantees are insufficient to ensure a balanced budget for the Verkhovna Rada.